ECHL approves Orlando for hockey franchise

The Orlando franchise will begin play in the ECHL in 2012-13.

November 1, 2011|Staff reports

The ECHL's Board of Governors unanimously approved the expansion application of Orlando for a team that will begin play in October 2012.

"The level of play is absolutely incredible,'' said Bob Ohrablo, chief operating officer for the Orlando ownership group and a former head of corporate sales with the NHL's Florida Panthers. "It's just every night they come to play.''

Ohrablo said the ownership group plans to meet with NHL franchises about affiliation agreements and plans to announce the team's nickname and other details in about two weeks.

Ohrablo said the group has a name in mind and is working on licensing and copyright issues.

"We want to convey something for the fans to get excited about,'' he said of what the Orlando group is looking for in a name.

The Orlando franchise, which will play its home games at Amway Center, is accepting deposits for season tickets for the 2012-13 season at orlandoprohockeyisback.com.

Twenty teams are in the ECHL, formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League and billed as the Premier "AA'' Hockey League, this season, including the Florida Everblades in Estero. The league will expand to 22 teams next season with the addition of Orlando and a franchise in San Francisco.